Wind tower erection system

Abstract

Tall wind towers can be erected using a mobile tilting frame comprising a major gin pole and a minor gin pole having a longitudinal axis. The tilting frame has a support cable connecting the major/minor gin poles. The minor gin pole can pivot relative to the major gin pole so that the longitudinal axis of the minor gin pole can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the major gin pole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tilting frame suitable for erecting a wind tower comprising a major gin pole having a longitudinal axis and a minor gin pole having a longitudinal axis, the tilting frame having a first support cable connecting the major and minor gin poles and wherein the longitudinal axis of the minor gin pole can pivot relative to the longitudinal axis of the major gin pole at an angle of from about 45 to about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         2 . The tilting frame of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two major gin poles. 
     
     
         3 . The tilting frame of  claim 1 , wherein the major gin pole is longer than the minor gin pole. 
     
     
         4 . The tilting frame of  claim 1 , wherein the minor gin pole is 10% to 50% of the length of the major gin pole. 
     
     
         5 . The titling frame of  claim 1 , wherein the minor gin pole can pivot relative to the major gin pole so that the longitudinal axis of the minor gin pole is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the major gin pole of from about 45 to about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The tilting frame of  claim 1 , further comprising a second support cable, for securing the tilting frame to an anchor. 
     
     
         7 . The tilting frame of  claim 1 , wherein the tilting frame is mobile. 
     
     
         8 . The tiling frame of  claim 1 , wherein the minor gin pole can pivot relative to the major gin pole so that the longitudinal axis of the minor gin pole can be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the major gin pole. 
     
     
         9 . The tilting frame of  claim 1 , wherein the tilting frame further comprises a power system to tilt the major gin pole and minor gin pole. 
     
     
         10 . A combination comprising:
 (a) the tilting frame of  claim 1 ; and   (b) a wind tower comprising an elongated support structure, a turbine, and at least one blade on a surface, the support structure being attached to a foundation having a pivot base.   
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the tilting frame is positioned proximate to the pivot base and connected to the pivot base. 
     
     
         12 . The combination  claim 10 , wherein the pivot base is built into the foundation. 
     
     
         13 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the pivot base is secured to a second foundation separate from the wind tower foundation. 
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 10 , comprising a power system for pivoting at least a. portion of the wind tower into position. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the wind tower is locked into a substantially vertical position relative to the ground. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 10 , wherein the wind tower is locked into a substantially vertical position. 
     
     
         17 . A mobile tilting frame for use in connection with a wind tower comprising:
 (a) wheels to move the frame into a position proximate to the wind tower;   (b) a major gin pole having a longitudinal axis and a minor gin pole having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the minor gin pole is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the major gin pole of from about 45 to about 120 degrees;   (c) at least one support cable connecting the major gin pole and the minor gin pole; and   (d) at least one tilting cable to connect or disconnect the tilting frame to the wind tower.   
     
     
         18 . A method of lowering an erected wind tower, the wind tower comprising an elongated support structure, a turbine, and at least one blade on a surface, the support structure being attached to a foundation, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) moving a mobile tilting frame proximate to the foundation, the tilting frame comprising a major gin pole having a longitudinal axis and a minor gin pole having a longitudinal axis, the tilting frame having a first support cable connecting the major and minor gin poles;   (b) connecting the minor gin pole to an anchor with a second support cable;   (c) tilting the tilting frame so that the major gin pole is substantially vertical and wherein the longitudinal axis of the minor gin pole is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the major gin pole, and   (d) securing at least one tilting cable to the major gin pole and the tower support structure and thereafter pivoting at least a portion of the wind tower to a substantially horizontal orientation using the tilting frame.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  comprising reusing the tilting frame to lower another erected wind tower. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein in step (a) the longitudinal axis of the minor gin pole is at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the major gin pole of from about 45 to about 120 degrees.